KANKAKEE, IL – April 4, 2016 – The Economic Alliance of Kankakee County announces that Nicor Gas, an AGL Resources Company, has formally invested in its 2016 program of work. The utility’s donation of $4,000 supports operations and programming for Kankakee County’s umbrella 501(c)(6) public-private economic development organization.

“The Economic Alliance has made great strides in its business retention and expansion, business attraction, workforce development, and community and regional development efforts,” noted Nicor Manager of Community Relations and Economic Development Bernie Anderson. “The growth Kankakee County is experiencing is a testament, in part, to the diligence of the Alliance and its economic development partners. Nicor Gas is proud to be among them.”

For 2015, the Economic Alliance reported $485 million in major capital investment, 588,600 feet of expansion and the creation of 796 jobs countywide.

Nicor Gas is the largest natural gas distributor in northern Illinois, serving more than 2.2 million customers in more than 650 communities. In Kankakee County, in addition to the Economic Alliance, Nicor Gas is an active supporter of the Grundy, Livingston, Kankakee Workforce Board; the Kankakee County Chamber of Commerce; the Kankakee Community College GirlSTEM program; and the Kankakee County Branch of the NAACP.

The Economic Alliance of Kankakee County is a public-private partnership that works to create jobs and expand the economic base by improving the local business climate. Working under Kankakee County’s 2014-19 Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS), the Alliance is challenged to help spur $500 million in new business investment and 500 new jobs, along with assisting 150 prospective new businesses. For more information, visit kankakeecountyed.org or phone 815.935.1177.